VFX Guru Craig Barron to showcase filmmaking advances

Oscar®-winning visual effects supervisor Craig Barron and Oscar-winning sound designer Ben Burtt will explore the side-by-side advances in filmmaking technology and aviation at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' four-evening series "Hollywood Takes to the Air" beginning on Thursday, August 14, at 7 p.m. at the Linwood Dunn Theater in Hollywood.

In Thursday’s kickoff event, “The Illusions of Flight: Behind the Scenes of Hollywood’s Aviation Classics,” Barron and Burtt will present film clips, newly unearthed stunt and crash footage, and vintage sound recordings to show how capturing flight for motion pictures has evolved from open-cockpit camerawork to sophisticated CGI techniques.

“Hollywood Takes to the Air” will continue with screenings of aviation-themed films from Friday, August 15, through Sunday, August 17, at 7 p.m. at the Linwood Dunn Theater. “Lilac Time” (1928), “Twelve O’Clock High” (1949) and “The Right Stuff” (1983) will be presented on consecutive evenings, each introduced by Barron and Burtt. Airplane miniatures and other production materials from classic aviation films will be on display in the theater lobby throughout the weekend.

Craig Barron has contributed visual effects to more than 100 films, including “The Empire Strikes Back,” “Raiders of the Lost Ark” and “Hugo.” He earned an Oscar nomination for his work on “Batman Returns” and received an Oscar for Visual Effects for “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.”

Ben Burtt’s first two Oscars® were Special Achievement Awards for the creation of the alien, creature and robot voices featured in “Star Wars” and for Sound Effects Editing for “Raiders of the Lost Ark.” He has since earned Oscars for his work on “E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial” and “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade,” and nominations for “Return of the Jedi,” “Willow” and “WALL-E,” among others.

For More information check out the Academy Website.